A local pre-loved clothing market recently expanded to include other small, home-based businesses, in an attempt to aid community members who are in need of an extra income.
This is according to Shahida bint Ismail, a local cupping therapist, who runs Poppy’s Gypsy Market from her front yard.
SMF News attended the market on 24 May, which saw many vendors from surrounding areas, including Cloetesville and Strand, set up tables at 7 Dan Pienaar Street to sell their home-made products.
About eight or nine businesses set up tables for a market outside 7 Dan Pienaar Street on 24 May. Anyone from the community could come and sell what they had to make extra money. This is according to Shahida bint Ismail, a local cupping therapist who sells pre-loved clothing to the community. PHOTO: Reid Donson
“It is basically creating an opportunity for […] people who want to have an extra cent, and they don’t want to go big because they cannot afford it,” said Ismail. “If you have R100, you can at least provide a bread and milk for your family.”
The market saw more than 50 attendees throughout the day, according to Ismail.
From cupboards to collaboration
When the market started in December last year, it consisted only of Ismail selling her clothes as a form of extra income, she said.
“I was thinking, besides doing my cupping therapy, what else can I do? Then I opened up my own cupboards,” said Ismail. “So I had a gypsy market here, under my canopy in the garden, selling pre-loved clothes.”
However, more and more people began showing interest in taking part, which is what gave Ismail the idea to make the market a collaborative effort with others in the community, she said.
Ismaeel Ebrahim (19) sold chocolate brownies at a recent market on Dan Pienaar Street in Stellenbosch. The market was hosted by Ebrahim’s stepmother, Shahida bint Ismail. “My stepmother approached me and my girlfriend with this opportunity,” said Ebrahim, not long after the market opened on 24 May. “We decided to go forward with it because it sounds and feels like it’s going to be a fun event.” PHOTO: Reid Donson
“It’s important for the community to see what we have,” said Aaliyah Harris, who sold products from her business, The Cookie Cutter. “We don’t get much exposure, so this way the community can come and meet us, and see what we have. There are many people who have products, but nobody sees it.”
“I think markets bring people together,” said Abdul Ghani Ebrahim, Ismail’s nephew, who sold clothes at the market. “It gives you a sense of belonging. You meet lots of different people.”
Raising extra funds for pilgrimage
Ismail told SMF News that part of the reason for hosting the market was to raise extra spending money for when her family goes on pilgrimage in September.
“It’s a nice feeling to be able to feel that you [are part of] helping them achieve whatever goals they want to achieve,” said Soraya Harris, one of the market’s attendees, about helping Ismail raise funds for pilgrimage. “If you [are] part of helping them achieve their goal, it also makes you feel good. Doing something. Giving back.”
Shahida bint Ismail, a local cupping therapist, recently hosted a market from the front yard of her home in Stellenbosch. She told SMF News that the goal is for her market to be “big but affordable”. “Nothing is over R100 in my stall,” said Ismail. “Everything goes R30, R60, R50.” PHOTO: Reid Donson
However, Ismail said that the market’s primary purpose is community.
“The bigger picture is for the community to come together, for our small markets to come showcase whatever they are doing,” said Ismail. “Life has [become] very expensive.”
While Ismail did not know exactly when she would host the market again, she did say that she had high hopes for its future.
“I’m dreaming of that big market,” said Ismail. “But my whole aim is it must be affordable for everyone.”
A group of small businesses recently collaborated for a market on Dan Pienaar Street. SMF News spoke to a few of the vendors and attendees. VIDEO: Reid Donson